really a general engine question....just happens to be on a 2001 yamaha Beartracker.
It is a a buddies sons bike, and believe me this kid rides this bike HARD EVERY DAY.
At first it was spitting blue smoke...which got thicker....and now that he ran it out of gas, we think the compression in the engine is to low to pull fuel.

My question is this, he only wants to get a little bit more life out of this bike until his sons turn 16 to see if he sticks with riding. Is it advisable to just toss in a new set of rings to get him back riding Cheap and quick? or should be bite the bullet and replace the piston as well???

thanks for your info.

 

Eh its one of those things to where you would just have to see what the shape of the internals are honestly, you most likely would just be fine with a re-ring and a hone job if its not real bad, but if the piston is in bad shape and the cylinder walls are all scarred up and stuff then you would have to bite the bullet and get a new piston kit and bore to the next size, valves might be another thing to check, seats, valve guides and such.